Infinitely-adjustable rectangular column clamp



Feb. 13, 1968 c. WILLIAMS 3,368,251

INFINITELY-ADJUSTABLE RECTANGULAR COLUMN CLAMP Fil ed Dec. 9, 1965 29 .IL M 30 I/VVE/VTOR CHESTER I WILLIAMS 5) a United States Patent 3,368,251 INFINITELY-ADJUSTABLE RECTANGULAR COLUMN CLAMP Chester I. Williams, 347 Greenbriar SE., Grand Rapids, Mich. 49506 Filed Dec. 9-, 1965, Ser. No. 512,679 2 Claims. (Cl. 24263) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An adjustable clamp to secure a rectangular arrangement of panels to form an enclosure for confining poured concrete, the clamps having beam sections interconnected at corners by bolts engaging the beam sections with threading of opposite hand, respectively, along an axis inclined at 45 degrees with respect to the axes of the beam sections.

This invention relates to the construction of clamps used to secure form panels in a rectangular con-figuration preparatory to pouring concrete columns. It is well-known that form panels may be secured in this relationship through the use of a pair of beam assemblies, each of these assemblies being formed by beam elements interconnected in perpendicular relationship. These beam elements are normally provided with serrations such that the assemblies can be interengaged at these serrations to form a rectangular framework around the form panels. The adjustability of these devices to accommodate columns of different sizes has been in increments determined 'by the spacing of the serrations, with the result that no adjustability is available between these increments to accommodate variations in thickness or width dimensions of the form panels themselves. The position of the form panels should be accurately controlled and securely clamped and it is therefore very desirable that the adjustability of the assemblies be extended so that it becomes infinite, rather than available in increments.

Applicant has devised an arrangement for providing an adjustability which will cover the range between the spacing of the serrations so that a full range is obtainable. In the preferred form of the invention, this adjustability is provided by a bolt disposed on an axis at 45 degrees to the axes of the beam elements, with the bolt having threaded engagement of opposite hand with abutments at the adjacent ends of the beam elements. Rotation of the bolt will therefore affect the spacing between the ends along the 45 degree axis, and will therefore provide the necessary intermediate adjustability of the clamping system between the increments determined by the serration spacing.

The several features of the invention will be analyzed in further detail through a discussion of the particular embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a set of form panels arranged in a rectangular configuration to define a column, with the forms secured by a pair of the clamping devices.

FIGURE 2 is a top view of the device shown in FIG- URE 1, on a slightly enlarged scale.

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of one of the clamping units shown in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale showing the junction of a pair of beam elements interconnected by the adjusting bolt.

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the portion of the device shown in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a horizontal section on the axis of the adjusting bolt shown in FIGURES 4 and 5.

Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, the form panels 10-13 ice are shown secured together in a generally rectangular configuration by the clamping devices 14 and 15. Concrete is poured into the space defined by the form panels, as indicated at 16, to produce a column. The clamping devices 14 and 15 are of a similar construction, and only one of these will be described in detail. The device 14, for example, is formed by a pair of beam assemblies which include the beam elements 17-18 and 19-20 respectively. The elements 17 and 18 are interconnected by the bolt 21 and the elements 19 and 20 by the bolt 22. These bolts are disposed with'their axes at a 45 degree angle with respect to the axes of the beam elements 1718 and 19-20 respectively. The bolts traverse abutments as shown at 23 and 24 at the adjacent ends of the beam elements, and are preferably in threaded engagement with both of these abutments in opposite hand so that rotation of the bolts with respect to the beam elements will cause the abutments 23 and 24 to approach or separate, depending upon the direction of rotation.

The beam elements 17-20 are all preferably formed by normally vertical and horizontal flanges producing an angular configuration in cross section. The vertical flanges are serrated as shown at 25 in FIGURE 1 so that the beam assemblies can be interengaged at various positions. These positions determine increments of a particular length, and it is preferable that the range of adjustment provided by the bolts 21 and 22 be equal to or slightly in excess of the spacing between the serrations so that a full scope of adjustability is obtainable. The horizontal flanges 26 of the beam elements are provided primarily for stiffness in bending. The preferred form of the invention utilizes diverted portions of the vertical flanges, as shown at 27 and 28 in FIGURE 5, to provide the abutments interengaged by the bolt 21. FIGURES 4, 5 and 6 show the device at the fully expanded range of adjustment of the diagonal bolts, and rotation of the bolts from the illustrated position will bring the abutments 2'7 and 28 closer together.

The threaded engagement with the abutments 27 and 28 is facilitated by displacing a portion of the material of the abutments as shown at 29 and 30 to provide an increased length of threaded engagement between the abutments and the bolts. The bolts 21 and 22. may be formed by suitably threaded pieces of round rod, with the hexagonal head 31 secured by a suitable cross-pin 32. This arrangement facilitates the assembly of the device, as the head 31 must be attached after the engagement of the bolt 21 wih the abutments 27 and 28. The location of the clamping devices on the forms is facilitated by providing nail holes as shown at 3336, and these may be placed at convenient points on the beam elements. Nails at these points driven into the plywood panels will prevent the devices from slipping out of place.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated and discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered as a limitation upon the scope of the appended claims. In these claims, it is my intent to claim the entire invention disclosed herein, except as I am limited by the prior art.

I claim:

1. An adjustable clamp for securing form panels in rectangular configuration, comprising:

a pair of beam assemblies, each of said assemblies in cluding beam elements having serrations, said elements each also having normally vertical and horizontal flanges forming an angular crosssection, portions of said vertical flanges providing abutment means adjacent one end thereof, and

bolt means having threaded engagement of opposite hand with said abutments, respectively, whereby said 3 4 beam elements are adjustably interconnected, and said ly disposed outside the space between the abutments beam assemblies are interengageable at said serraassociated with said bolt means. tions to form a rectangular frame, said bolt means being disposed at an axis inclined to the axes of both References Cited 2 z e 31 degrees. f 1 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS n a usta e camp or securing orm panes 1n rectangular configuration, comprising: l fii a pair of beam assemblies, each of said assemblies including beam elements having serrations, said elements each also having abutment means adjacent 10 one end thereof, and

1,193,103 8/1916 Wood. 1,608,406 11/1926 McFarland 269-116 1,842,684 1/1932 Markham.

2 668 335 2/1954 Hines. bolt means having threaded engagement of opposlte hand with said abutments, respectively, whereby said 3107087 10/1963 Williams 249 188 beam elements are adjustably interconnected, and OTHER REFERENCES said beam assemblies are interengageable at Said 15 1907 Concrete and Reinforced Concrete Construction,

serrations to form a rectangular frame, said bolt 582 R M m C 01 k P c means being disposed at an axis inclined to the axes page e1 y n ar u 15 mg ompany)' of both beam elements by 45 degrees, said bolt means DONALD GRIFFIN Primary Examiner. having head means adjacent one end thereof normal- 

